A famous capital city

1.- Introduction to lesson

In today’s lesson, we are going to look at a famous European capital city. We are then going to look at joining words. Let’s begin!

Look at the following pictures. They are pictures of a European capital city. Can you guess which city is being shown?

The pictures are from Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

Having seen the pictures, would you like to visit this city?

2.- Your turn…

Answer the following questions out loud giving as much detail as possible.

• Have you ever been to Prague?
• What was your first impression?
• If you haven’t been to Prague, what do you know about it?

3.- Pre-listening task

Later in this lesson, you will hear a presentation on Prague. However, before you do, I would like you to think of some things you would like to know about the city, for example, what language do they speak there? What is the food like? etc.

Write at least 4 questions.

a) ________________________________________

b) ________________________________________

c) ________________________________________

d) ________________________________________

4.- Listening

Listen to your teacher talk about Prague. Are any of your questions answered?

4.1.- Your teacher talks about three different things. Put them in order:

4.2.- Listen again. Answer the following questions with complete sentences.

5.- Language focus – Joining Words

Joining words are words that are used to join two sentences together. They are used to make a sentence more complex in structure. At this level, you should be using joining words in both written and spoken English.

Here is a list of some of the most common joining words used in English:

Because: porque
Because of: a causa de
Thanks to: gracias a
That’s why: por eso
Seeing that: en vista de que

For this reason: por este motivo
Given that: dado que
As a result of: como consecuencia de
In fact: efectivamente
Therefore: por lo tanto

Nowadays: hoy en día
However: sin embargo
In spite of: a pesar de que
Although: aunque
While: mientras que
On the whole: por regla general / en general

5.1.- Look at the tapescript and underline all of the joining words used.

Tapescript

(Para ver la solución hacer doble click en texto; un click vuelve a posición original)

6.- Language focus – Joining Words (continuation)

Before you carry out the next exercise, take 2 minutes to learn all of the "joining words" previously introduced.

6.1.- Ways of learning vocabulary

Everyone has their own method of learning vocabulary. Here are a few popular ideas:

• Write down the word you are trying to learn 5 times
• Write sentences using the words you are trying to learn.
• Look at the word you are trying to learn, cover the word, write the word and check you have it correct.
• Write out the words on post-it notes and place them in visible places in your house/place or work, etc.

6.2.- Complete the following sentences using a joining word from the list below. There may be more than one answer.

In spite of / For this reason / Thanks to / On the whole / Although
While / In fact / Therefore

7.- Your turn…

Now you have learned your joining words and you have heard your teacher give a short presentation on Prague, It’s your turn!

Prepare a spoken presentation on a city that you have recently visited. You must include: general information on the city, main tourist attractions and talk about the climate.

Do not forget to use some of the "joining words" taught to you this lesson!